"In
the early 20th century Mussolini was more intent on producing pompous neoclassical
buildings than in achieving breakthroughs in modern architectural design.
Then E.U.R. was born."

E.U.R. letteraly
means "Esposizione Universale Roma"; it's a big complex builded in since
1935 by Benito Mussolini as symbol of fascism for world; he wanted to expand
the "new Rome" in the west part, untill to connect to the sea. EUR was
originally conceived for the World's Fair of 1942, which never took place
since Italy entered World War II in 1940.

EUR provides
a good image of how urban Italy and most of Europe would have looked
if the fascists would have won; racional large streets (italian racionalism,
the name of this architecture style), crossing eachothers in a roman style;
a back to the order, symmetrical systems, archs everywhere.

EUR, "Palazzo INA" and "G.
Marconi" square

The most rapresentative
buiding of that style is the "square colosseum" (italian: "colosseo quadrato"
but properly "Palazzo delle Civiltà del lavoro") where u can count
216 archs, playing shadow games with the sun; it supposed to look like
the real Colosseum after 20 centuries, wich inside hosted the fascism's
sanctuarium (flags, relique, paints: religion and politic, the essence
of fascism).

EUR, "COLOSSEO QUADRATO"properly "Palazzo delle
Civiltà del Lavoro"

Anyway, in
50-60es old building was completetd and other new big building was constructed,
housing offices, ministries, fast-foods; large gardens and great
parks were opened, becoming a nice residential zone.

(Manuele
C.)

COMMENTS

L'EUR is modern fascist Rome
and not exactly what most tourist come to Rome to see. After having lived
15 years there my only comment is that Viale Europa is still more lively
than most North American centres. I now live in Orlando Florida where I
only wish our downtown looked like L'EUR !!!! ----- Joseph LoPresti, June
27, 1998

....We re-filled our water
bottles, then after consulting our guidebook decided to head out on the
Metro to a mysterious Roman suburb called EUR. It stands for Esposizione
Universale di Roma, and started life as Mussolini's pet project. The guidebook
said it has excellent versions of Fascist architecture, and certainly walking
around it, the vast majority of big buildings were ugly and grey and reminded
us of pictures of Eastern Europe...----- Daniel Bowen, September
1999

I went to Rome 2 years ago
and could see the COLOSSEO QUADRATO as the tour bus took us into the town
center drop off. I did not feel like visiting this area, although
I have a respect for Albert Speer's work. Is this similar? I really
study classical architecture and base much of my work on it. I understand
Europeans feel ambivalent to the works since Renaissance times since there
was so much political unrest and revolution, since the palaces were always
built by imperialists, like eventually the Fascists and National Socialists.
Instead, it seems European architects (Mies, Corbu, Gropius) elected to
break away from this form, more as a revolt or revulsion towards the regimes
that promoted it more than introducing an alternative that was human as
well as practical. The above posts indicate that the space seems
more lively than most American town centers, which is probably true.
Too much reliance on the automobile and the suburban sprawl has resulted
in an isolated mode of living in the US, which affects social, political,
and physical elements. Americans are on the average, not getting
enough walking as their European counterparts, and are thus heavier, more
prone to illness. Their society is non-interactive on a street level.
Subsequently, politics and other human interest is not discussed face to
face. This is truly a setback to civilization. The European
town center, which grew from Medieval alleys to wide boulevards and public
squares, with the reliance of public transportation, is quite ideal.
I too live in Orlando and do not realize the isolation until I take a journey
to Spain or France, Germany or England, etc. To see some of my
work, just log onto www.dreamhomedesignusa.com,
and also go to the commercial link. ------ John Henry AIA, Dec.
2000